Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on October 13, 2026, that Pakistan is close to completing the regulatory framework needed to introduce satellite internet services.
Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Symposium on Digital Transformation and the Universal Service Fund (USF), the minister said the framework for Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) would be finalised after consultations with relevant institutions. The government aims to provide a business-friendly environment to attract companies interested in offering satellite-based connectivity in Pakistan.
The development could create opportunities for international providers, including Starlink, which uses satellites to deliver internet services. However, the framework’s progress does not mean that Starlink has received permission to begin commercial operations in Pakistan. The regulatory process must be completed before services can be introduced under the applicable rules.
Khawaja also highlighted improvements in the country’s digital infrastructure. She said Pakistan’s gender gap in mobile internet usage had declined from 38% to 8%, according to figures she shared. She added that three new submarine internet cables had landed in Pakistan over the past two and a half years.
The minister further said the USF had laid more than 17,000 kilometres of optical fibre across the country. These efforts aim to improve connectivity, particularly in areas where internet access remains limited.
